St Josephs Foundation Job Shadow Day

Over 1000 jobseekers and employers set to team up for Job Shadow Day 2017

The Irish Association of Supported Employment (IASE) is pleased to announce the tenth annual Job Shadow Day (Wednesday 26th April) and will see hundreds of people with disabilities take the opportunity to shadow a workplace mentor as he or she goes about a normal working day.

Job Shadow Day is designed to give people with disabilities the unique opportunity to get a close up look at the world of work for one day in April each year, to discover and learn about the skills and education required to compete and succeed in the work place.

Job Shadow Day brings people with disabilities and local employers together to highlight the valuable contribution people with disabilities can, and do make in the workplace. Last year, close to 800 individuals with a disability shadowed at over 500 employment sites in Ireland, with 55 securing a permanent job placement as a direct result.

Everybody is encouraged to open their doors to ability and inclusion. Previous high profile participants who have hosted a ‘shadow’ for the day are: An Taoiseach, Norah Casey, Ray D’Arcy, Ryan Tubridy, Feargal Quinn, Padraig O’Ceidigh, Neven Maguire, Brendan O’Connor, Ken Doherty.

Sean Gallagher, entrepreneur and business writer:“I would encourage all employers to get involved with IASE Job Shadow Day 2017 and to embrace a positive belief in the workplace abilities and talents of people with disabilities.As someone who has faced many challenges in business and life, I am very aware of the many challenges people with disabilities have to overcome.”

“Research continues to show that a diverse workforce leads to increased productivity, innovation and improved business performance. Supported employment only works because it makes good business sense.”

Senator David Norris:“Having participated in Job Shadow Day I know how important it is both for the individual taking part but also for highlighting the fact that a person with a disability can make a significant contribution to the work place. I encourage as many employers and job seekers as possible to take part in this year’s Job Shadow Day 26th April 2017.”

Peter Furlong, Chairman, IASE: “This event has grown, year on year, since it started in 2007. It’s been a real success in capturing people’s attention and bringing people from all walks of life together to celebrate and promote the very worthwhile contribution people with disabilities make to the workplace. Having had people the calibre of Norah Casey (Harmonia), Orla Moran (Irish Jobs.ie), An Taoiseach Enda Kenny amongst others champion this initiative is an endorsement of the business case of employment for people with disabilities.

“We want to build on this success and keep on breaking down barriers to the workplace which, despite much progress in recent years, still remains a significant issue for people with disabilities.”

This truly is a great opportunity to promote inclusive business and employment.

Employers and job seekers interested in participating in Job Shadow Day 2017 are invited to register their interest at www.iase.ie

Irish Association of Supported Employment (IASE)

The IASE is the only organisation in Ireland whose unique sole function is the promotion of employment for people with disabilities. The IASE believes that everyone should experience the dignity & purpose of a job and works to inspire organisations to transform people’s lives through supported employment.

IASE Job Shadow Day

On Wednesday 26th April 2017, hundreds of individuals with disabilities throughout Ireland will be afforded a unique opportunity to shadow a workplace mentor as he or she goes through a normal working day at hundreds of employment sites/companies throughout Ireland.